Whether he's delving into new aspects of his craft, sharing his knowledge with others, or meticulously ensuring each aircraft is at its peak airworthy condition, Jacob Doster’s dedication and curiosity seem never-ending. For Doster, aviation maintenance isn’t only a job, it’s a calling.
After earning an associate degree and A&P from the Aviation Maintenance program at Greenville Technical College in South Carolina in 2013, Doster spent a few years working at both a composite component repair station and a corporate jet maintenance repair organization. Since joining the Skytech team in 2017, he’s moved from technician to inspector to team lead. He earned his Inspection Authorization certificate through determination and self-study and a bachelor’s in Aviation Science from Eastern New Mexico University in 2021 while working full time.
According to Doster, his biggest career achievement so far has been growing into a role that includes training new technicians: “With the mechanic shortage, we've hired a few technicians straight out of school and are training them to be the technicians that we need. Being trusted with this responsibility is definitely an honor and a privilege. It's rewarding to know that I'm contributing to the future of aviation while helping others pursue their own career goals.”
People who grow up in a town where there’s no airport may never think of aviation maintenance as a career possibility, he said.
While it’s good that STEM programs are becoming more prevalent in schools, Doster said, “We need to find a way to expose kids and teens to aircraft maintenance and hopefully get them interested in this industry.”
